Jana Zoriry – EMTV Online
A new technique developed by the Morobe Fisheries Corporative Society (MFCS) in Morobe province is picking up interest among communities in the province.
MFCS representative Albertha Tumune, who spoke at the recent APEC Food Security Summit shared real experiences which small women farmers are going through with agriculture and fisheries in Morobe.
The Aqua Phonic Technology has been trialed in the province and has received positive feedback from community farmers.
“It’s a technology we recently developed as a result of climate change effects, environment damages, bleaching of coral reefs and depletion of stock, so it had helped or stimulated the thoughts of corporative to go into another step of farming,” says Ms. Tumune.
Ms. Tumune also pointed out a problem faced by local farmers was finding a fish feed supplier in the country.
“In Papua New Guinea we don’t have a regular supply of fish feed, example Niuguni Table Bird, they assist farmers by providing them feeds. Unlike aqua culture and aqua phonics, we don’t have large companies producing fish feed and that is a challenge for us.
“At the moment we have our parent company National Fisheries Authority, they try to fill the gap by bringing fish feed from overseas and they sell to fish farmers,” says Ms. Tumune.
The Aqua Phonic Technology Pilot Project implementation is expected to be carried out next month once all the materials arrive.
Areas in the province that were identified are, Markham, Wampar LLG, Kaiapit, Bumayong, and Situm.
Ms Tumune also expressed gratitude towards the opportunity APEC has provided for her and smallholder farmers.
“It is important we attend such meetings to networking with the other economies.
“We are convinced that our produce is organic and I’m amazed that many economies are interested in our organic grown food, vegetables, and fish, adds Tumune.
Source: APEC News Release
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